Would a Coalition Government Overhaul Albany?

Dec. 1, 2012

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ALBANY – An attempt by a breakaway Senate Democratic conference to create a coalition government could create chaos in New York -- or it could build a new effective model for how business gets done at the state Capitol, lawmakers said.

The four-member Independent Democratic Conference wants to create an unprecedented power-sharing agreement with Democrats and Republicans. They envision a system by which the three groups seek to reach compromise on critical issues facing the state, such as raising the minimum wage and campaign-finance reform.

What remains unclear is whether the effort is a mere power grab amid the uncertainty over Senate control or a sincere attempt at reform, some lawmakers said Thursday.

Sen. Michael Gianaris, D-Queens, said the IDC members are setting a bad precedent: Any group of lawmakers could organize and seek co-equal power until their demands are met.

“This takes us to a very dark place. The fact is people get elected on a certain party line. The voters expect them to caucus with that party,” Gianaris, who heads the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee, said Thursday on “The Capitol Pressroom,” a public radio show.

The IDC has outsized influence because Election Day didn’t settle control of the 63-seat Senate. Who the conference supports for Senate leader could steer power and perks to that party. Republicans hold 31 seats, Democrats hold 26 seats, the IDC has four, and there are two undecided seats.

Democrats would have a 32-seat majority if they won both undecided races and had the support of the IDC. One elected Democrat, Simcha Felder of Brooklyn, said he would sit with Republicans.

In the newly drawn 46th Senate District, a judge Thursday began the court process of deciding the fate of nearly 900 contested ballots. Assemblyman George Amedore, R-Rotterdam, Schenectady County, holds a 110-vote lead over Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk.

In another undecided race, Democrat Terry Gipson holds a sizable 1,700-vote lead against Sen. Stephen Saland, R-Poughkeepsie. Dutchess County has completed counting of about 10 percent of its roughly 9,500 ballots.

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Republicans currently have a 33-29 seat majority.

The Senate’s tenuous majority was on full display in 2009: Two Democrats joined with 30 Republicans to temporarily overthrow the Democratic leadership. It lead to a month-long stalemate and ended when the two Democrats rejoined the Democratic conference.

Former Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, D-Greenburgh, Westchester County, said the likelihood of a one-vote majority in the Senate gives every member major sway over policy and leadership decisions.

Brodsky said he expects Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the popular Democratic governor, to ultimately play a role in deciding Senate leadership before the legislative session starts Jan. 9. Cuomo has indicated he would stay clear of the political fight and would work with whoever prevails.

“I think the governor’s role is likely to be decisive,” Brodsky said.

Sen. Jeff Klein, D-Bronx, said in an interview Wednesday with Gannett’s Albany Bureau that the IDC isn’t looking to hand power to either Democrats or Republicans. They want to be an equal third power, said Klein, who heads the group.

“The only way we are going to get core Democratic issues -- important progressive issues -- done in New York state is through some type of bi-partisan coalition government,” he said. “It’s clear.”

Issues like same-sex marriage and a property-tax cap were approved last year with bi-partisan support, Klein said. And increasing the state’s minimum wage, protecting women’s reproductive rights and campaign-finance reform -- key issues for Democrats -- would also have to be passed with support from some Democrats and Republicans, he said.

With their majority in danger, Sen. Thomas Libous, R-Binghamton, said Republicans are still open to forming a “coalition government” with a breakaway caucus of Democrats.

“Even if we win the 32nd seat, I still think a coalition government is something that can be very positive, because you can get things move forward that are important to the people and the taxpayers of the state,” Libous said.

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Democrats and unions said the IDC should stick with its party. Sen.-elect Ted O’Brien, D-Irondequoit, Monroe County, said the IDC’s core issues are in line with the Democratic conference’s goals.

O’Brien said he doesn’t plan to join the IDC.

“I was elected as a Democrat, and I intend to conference with Democrats,” he said. “When you look at the mission and goals of what the IDC would like to accomplish, it’s a progressive Democratic group.”

Sen.-elect George Latimer, D-Rye, Westchester County, said he also would stay with the Democratic conference. He encouraged the IDC to rejoin the conference. He and O’Brien said they have talked with IDC members about general policy issues since they were elected.

“I think we have common public-policy beliefs,” Latimer said. “I think we can work out a structural arrangement for how the chamber works.”